Humidifier assembly

ABSTRACT

A HUMIDIFIER ASSEMBLY FOR USE WITH A RELATED HOT AIR HEATING SYSTEM HAS SEPARATE END SUPPORT MEMBERS INDIVIDUALLY MOUNTABLE, IN SPACED RELATION, TO A PORTION OF THE HEATING SYSTEM, THE END SUPPORTS IN TURN SUPPORT A SEPARATE LOWER WATER PAN, A WATER CARRYING ROTATABLE   DRUM ASSEMBLY WHICH IS ALSO ROMOVABLE AS A SUBASSEMBLY AND A DETACHABLE COVER ASSEMBLY FOR ENCLOSING THE OPERATING COMPONENTS OF THE HUMIDIFIER.

NOV. 23, 197'1 R w GE|$LER ET AL 3,621,830

HUMIDIFIER ASSEMBLY 2 Sheets-$hoot 1 Filed Nov. 24, 1969 Rasse/Z M 622142 r s e r JZm llZ ll/lzeazfon 9m 4,. WM

ATTORNFY United States Patent O 3,621,830 HUMIDIFIER ASSEMBLY Russell W. Geisler, 1290 Lake Crescent, Bloomfield Hills, Mich. 48013, and John W. Wheaton, 7264 Heather Heath Lane, Birmingham, Mich. 48010 Filed Nov. 24, 1969, Ser. No. 879,145 Int. Cl. F24f 3/14 US. Cl. 126113 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A humidifier assembly for use with a related hot air heating system has separate end support members individually mountable, in spaced relation, to a portion of the heating system; the end supports in turn support a separate lower water pan, a water carrying rotatable drum assembly which is also removable as a subassem'bly and a detachable cover assembly for enclosing the operating components of the humidifier.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Various humidifier assemblies have been proposed by the prior art. However, such prior art devices have not been found to be entirely satisfactory. For example, many of such prior art humidifying devices are so constructed as to require the tedious complete disassembly of the entire humidifier from the related hot air heating system in order to either inspect, adjust, repair or replace the operating components. Further, many of the prior art structures are so constructed as to be of a generally unitized character which does not permit of separation into individual easily packaged components. That is, they are by nature comparatively very bulky requiring maximum space for shipping and storage as between, for example, the manufacturer and distributor or retailer. Such increased space requirements, of course, add substantially to the overall cost of the humidifier to the ultimate consumer.

Accordingly, the invention as herein disclosed and described is concerned with the solution of the above as well as other related problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the invention, a humidifier assembly comprises a housing assembly adapted to be secured to a portion of an associated hot air heating system, said housing assembly comprising oppositely disposed and spaced end support means, water reservoir means situated intermediate said spaced end support means, water inlet means carried by said water reservoir means for directing water from an associated water supply means to said water reservoir means, cover means adapted to operatively engage said end support means so as to define an interior chamber including therein said water inlet means, and a rotatable water carrier assembly situated within said chamber, said water carrier assembly being so positioned as to have a portion thereof contacting the water within said water reservoir means, said water carrier assembly comprising a rotatable shaft carrying a plurality of axially spaced disc-like members for rotation therewith, said rotatable shaft having one end adapted for driving connection to associated motor means.

A general object of this invention is to provide a humidifier assembly of novel construction permitting the compact packaging of the component elements as well as the ready access to the operating elements of the humidifier when such humidifier is assembled onto an associated hot air heating system.

Other more specific objects and advantages of the 3,621,830 Patented Nov. 23, 1971 ice DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings, wherein for purposes of clarity certain elements may be omitted from one or more views:

FIG. 1 is an elevational perspective view of a humidifier assermbly constructed in accordance with the teachings of the invention illustrated as mounted onto a portion of a related heating system;

FIG. 2 is a generally exploded perspective view of the elements comprising the humidifier assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken generally on the plane of line 33 of FIG. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken generally on the plane of line 4-4 of FIG. 3 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view, with portions thereof in phantom line, illustrating one of the subassemblies illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken generally on the plane of line 66 of FIG. 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary portion of the structure shown in FIG. 4; and

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary view, partly in crosssection, of one of the elements shown, for example, in FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now in greater detail to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a humidifier assembly 10', constructed in accordance with the teachings of the invention, mounted onto, for example, a wall 12 of the heat plenuni assembly 14 of a related heating system.

FIG. 2, a generally exploded perspective view, illustrates the humidifier assembly 10 as comprising end support members 16, 18, a lower disposed water tray or pan 20, a float regulated water inlet valve assembly 22, a rotatable drum or wheel assembly 24 and a cover 26.

As is shown by both FIGS. 2 and 3, end support 16 is formed of rear wall section 28, upper wall section 30, forward wall section 3 2 and lower wall section 34 generally peripherally situated as to form a continuous surface. Such peripheral wall sections are, in turn, joined as by a vertically extending integrally formed wall 36 which, among other things, serves to support an electric motor assembly 38 suitably secured thereto as by mount ing screws, one of which is shown at 40.

Upper and for-ward wall sections 30 and 32 are respectively formed with stepped surfaces 42 and 44 which are preferably formed as to define a continuous mounting surface for the reception thereagainst of end 46 of the main housing cover 26. Rear wall section 28 has clearance apertures 48 and 50 formed therethrough adapted for the reception of suitable attaching means such as screws, one of which is shown at 52, in order to securely mount the end support 16 onto the wall 12 of plenum assembly 14. In addition to mounting apertures 48 and 50, end support 16 is provided with bosses 54, 56, 58 and 60, generally at the juncture of the respective peripheral wall sections, which are respectively provided with, preferably, internally threaded apertures 62, 64, 66 and 68 for the threadable engagement with suitable screws 70 for holding the end cover plate 72 assembled against the end support 16 (as best seen in FIG. 3). Of course, apertures 74, formed through cover plate 72, accommodate the passage therethrough of screws 70.

As also shown in both FIGS. 2 and 3, it can be seen that end support 18 is somewhat similar to end support 16. That is, end support 18 includes a rear wall section 76, upper wall section 78, forward wall section and lower wall section 82 formed to be generally peripherally situated and continuous about an integrally formed vertically extending end wall 84. Upper and forward wall sections are respectively formed with stepped surfaces 86 and 88 which are preferably formed to define a continuous mounting surface for the reception thereagainst of end 90 of the main housing cover 26. Rear wall section 76 has clearance apertures 92 and 94 formed therethrough adapted for the reception of suitable attaching means, such as screws typically illustrated at 96 of FIG. 3, in order to securely mount the end support 18 onto the wall 12 of plenum assembly 14.

Vertical wall section 84 has an aperture formed therein which, actually, is one end of an integrally formed outlet conduit 98. A generally horizontally disposed supporting strut 100 is provided with an integrally formed trunnion portion 102 which is adapted to receive and support end 104 of the main drum or wheel shaft 106.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the water tray or pan 20 is comprised of a lower floor or bottom 108 with vertically upwardly extending side walls 110 and 112, a vertically upwardly extending rear wall 114 and a forward or front wall 116 upwardly directed but somewhat inclined from the vertical. Side walls 110 and 112 have, respectively, generally laterally extending flanges 118 and 120 for use in slidably supporting the tray 20 in end supports 16 and 18 while the forward wall 116 has a laterally extending flange 122 employable for lock ing or latching the cover 26 thereto.

Internally of the pan 20, integrally formed vertically extending wall portions 124, 126 and 128 are provided defining, generally, a first major chamber 130 which contains the greatest portion of the water and in which the drum assembly 24 rotates, a second chamber 132 defined generally by walls 126, 110 and 128 containing a float 134 therein, and a third chamber 136 defined generally between walls 114, 110, 24 and 126. Wall 128 is preferably provided with a cut-out portion 138 in order to permit the ready flow of water from chamber 132 to main chamber 130.

As best illustrated by FIGS. 2 and 4, wall 126 may be provided with a vertical extension 140 for supporting the float-controlled inlet valve assembly 22. Generally, such inlet valve assemblies are well known in the art and may be comprised of, for example, a valve housing 142 threadably secured to the extension 140 so as to have the inlet end 144 threadably connected to a conduit 146 as by a nut 148. The outlet end of valve housing 142 slidably contains a needle-type valve member 150 which is positioned by the end 152 of lever 154 connected to float 134. The float 134 and lever are supported by pivot means 156 connected to and carried by a water deflector hood 158 which maybe supported as by a tang-like or tab portion 160 tightly engaged generally between an enlarged portion of the valve housing 142 and the vertical extension 140. As is well known in the art, as the water rises within pan 20, float 134 is correspondingly raised and in so doing causes end 152 of the lever 154 to continually move the needle valve 150 inwardly of the valve housing 142 toward the valve seat formed therein. When the water level within pan 20 reaches a predetermined height, float 134 will have moved the needle valve 150 against the valve seat shutting-off further flow of water into the pan 20. The hood 158 is, of course, employed to deflect the incoming water downwardly into the pan 20 and thereby prevent any undesirable omni-directional spray of water within the assembly. As the supply of water within pan 20 is consumed by evaporation the float 134 moves downwardly thereby permitting water to flow past the needle valve and thereby continually replenishing the consumed water and maintaining the desired water level within pan or tray 20.

In addition to conduit 146, which may have its other end extending downwardly through the bottom 108 of tray 20 and provided with a coupling nut 162 for connection to a suitable source or supply of water 163, a second conduit 164 is preferably formed integrally with wall section 124 so as to be generally vertically disposed within the chamber 136. As is best seen in FIG. 3, wall 124 has a notch 166 formed therethrough so as to provide a passageway communicating generally between the upper end of conduit 164 and the main chamber 130. The lower end of conduit 164 may extend beneath the bottom 108 of tray 20 and, in a manner known in the art, be provided with a coupling nut 168 for connection to suitable related conduitry leading to a sump or drain 170. If for some reason, the float controlled inlet needle valve should fail to shut-off the flow of incoming water notch or passageway 166, being at a level below the height of the walls of pan 20, will cause the water to flow therethrough and into the conduit 164 from where it can be returned to a suitable drain 170 thereby preventing the water from overflowing the pan 20.

The water drum or wheel assembly 24 is illustrated as being comprised of a main shaft 106 on which are mounted spaced end wheels 172 and 174 which cooperatively carry a drum-like cage assembly 176 which, in turn, supports a sleeve-like or tubular member 178 consisting of material exhibiting some qualities of capillary attraction for water.

As shown in both FIGS. 2 and 3, end wheel 172 is formed to have a circular sleeve-engaging surface 180 and a closed disc-like wall 182 which is preferably extended beyond surface 180 in order to thereby define a radially extending continuous flange portion 184. The central portion of wall 182 may be reinforced as by a boss 186 through which a passageway 188 is formed for the reception therethrough of the main shaft 106. Additionally, wheel 172 is provided with a continuous annular groove 190, of some axial depth, which is adapted to receive therein end 192 of cage assembly 176.

In comparison, end wheel 17 4, formed to have a circular sleeve-engaging surface 194, has an open passageway 196 formed therethrough in which are situated wheel supporting spoke members 198, 200, 202 and 204 which, generally at their juncture, contain or form a bearing-like portion 206 provided with a passageway 208 for the reception therethrough of the main shaft 106. Preferably, bearing portion 206 is provided with an internally threaded aperture for threadably engaging a setscrew 210 which can be tightened against the shaft 106 in order to transmit rotary motion from shaft 106 to wheel 174 and, through cage 176, to wheel 172. Additionally, wheel 174 is provided with a continuous annular groove 212, of some axial depth, which is adapted to receive therein end 214 of cage assembly 176. As with wheel 172, end wheel 174 also has a continuous radially extending flange 216 formed thereabout.

Preferably, the cage assembly 176, as illustrated in FIG. 5, is comprised of a plurality of sections 218, 220 and 222 each of which is similarly formed. That is, as typically shown by section 218, each may be comprised of a plurality of longitudinally extending rods or bars 224 which are spaced from each other and joined at their respective opposite ends to end members 226 and 228. Even though such cage sections may be formed of any suitable material it is contemplated that they would be preferably formed of non-rusting material such as stainless steel or aluminum. Further, even though the setcions 218, 220 and 222 are illustrated as being formed to have their respective end members 226 and 228 formed to be of arcuate configuration, it is contemplated that such cage sections could be initially formed to be flat, that is, have their end members .226 and 228 straight. This would greatly minimize the required space for packaging and shipment of the apparatus during, for example, shipment from the manufacturer to the distributor and/or retailer. If this were done, then the end members 226 and 228 would be bent to conform to slots or recesses 190 and 212 in wheels 172 and 174 at time of installation'of the humidifier assembly 10. Once the cage assembly 176 is assembled into wheels 172 and 174, the rods or bars 224, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, serve to support the medial portion of the water carrier sleeve 178.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and in enlarged scale in FIG. 6, the end 230 of shaft 106 is provided with a cross pin 232 extending therethrough so as to have its projecting ends 234 and 236 respectively received within slots 238 and 240 formed within a socket-like coupling member 242 drivingly connected to the output shaft 244 of motor assembly 38. The coupling member 242 is also provided with an aperture 246 for the reception therein of the end of shaft 106.

The cover assembly 26, as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 is formed in a generally L-shaped configuration having an upper portion 248 and a forward wall-like portion 250, preferably integrally formed with each other. As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 4 the free end of upper portion 248 is provided with a laterally extending flange portion 252 which, preferably, is formed in a stepped relationship with respect to the upper cover portion 248. Similarly, the free end of forward wall portion 250 is provided with a laterally extending and generally horizontally projecting flange 254 which is also preferably integrally formed with cover wall portion 250. As shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, the purpose of flange 252 is to lock under the upper edge 256 of the aperture 258', formed in wall 12 of heat plenum 14, whenever the cover 26 is assembled onto the end supports 16 and 18. The aperture 258, in addition to upper edge 256, may be formed with side edges 260, 262 and a lower edge 264. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the ends of flange 252 are cut back as at 266 and 268 so as to be accommodated within the width of aperture 258 as defined by side walls 260 and 262. As can best be seen in FIG. 3, the aperture 258 is formed in wall 12 so as to be preferably juxtaposed to the drum assembly 24 while providing a degree of shielding against the direct flow of hot air against the water inlet valve assembly 22 and related structure.

Flange 254, as shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 7, carries a plurality of securing means such as screws 270 which are adapted to be detachably connected to respective U-shaped clips 272 carried by the flange 122 formed on the upper end of forward wall 116 of water pan 20. As typically illustrated in FIG. 7, the U-clips 272 may be formed with legs 274 and 276 frictionally engaging opposite sides of flange 122 with a concave depression in leg 276, containing a clearance aperture 278, being situated with the larger aperture 280 formed through flange 122. Leg 274 is provided with an aperture therethrough defined generally by opposed edges 282 and 284 disposed with respect to each other as to threadably engage the screw 270. The provision of such clips 272 enables the screws to be axially pushed through aperture 278 and upwardly between edges 282 and 284 thereby enabling a quick locking action of cover flange 254 to pan flange 254.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, wall 36 of end support 16 is formed to provide a generally horizontally disposed recess or slot 286 for the slidable reception therein of flange 118 of water tray 20 and, similarly, end support 18 is also formed to provide a horizontally disposed slot 288 for the slidable reception therein of the opposite flange 120 of pan 20.

In order to enhance the rigidity and dimensional stability of the humidifier assembly, especially of the end support members 16 and 18, when assembled onto the related heating system ductwork, a spacer type tie bar or rod 290 is preferably provided so as to extend between and engage respective wall sections 36 and 84 of end supports 16 and 18. FIG. 8, in enlarged scale, fragmentarily illustrates the manner in which the rod 290 is secured to walls 36 and 84 of end supports 16 and 18. Apertures 292 and 294 formed through walls 36 and 84, respectively, receive screws 296 and 298 therethrough for threadable engagement with internally threaded portions formed in the ends 300 and 302 of the tie rod 290. The overall length of rod 290, that is, the distance from end 200 to end 302 is such as to maintain the desired spacing between end supports 16 and 18 when assembled in the manner shown.

OPERATION OF INVENTION The operation of the invention is briefly as follows. Once the humidifier assembly 10 as shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 is assembled onto the heat plenum wall 12 (or such other suitable portion of the heating system as is available) the electrical terminals 304 and 306 of the electric motor 38 are connected to suitable switching mechanism such as that often associated with the heating system blower assembly.

The inlet to the humidifier 10 is, of course, provided by the aperature 258 in wall 12; however, the outlet from humidifier 10 is formed by conduit 98, formed in end support 18, which is connected by suitable ductwork or conduitry (not shown) to, for example, the plenum chamber 14 at a point downstream of the inlet aperture 258.

Accordingly, in an arrangement as above, whenever the heating system blower assembly is energized causing a flow of heated air, a portion of such air is admitted into the humidifier assembly 10 through the inlet assembly 258. The electric motor 38, being simultaneously energized with the blower assembly, causes shaft 106 to rotate and in so doing rotate with it the end wheels 172, 174 and water carrier 178. The carrier 178, which may be made of fibrous or other suitable material (many of which are well known in the art), is generally in the path of flow of the incoming heated air; therefore, as the carrier 178 rotates through the water supply within the tray or pan 20 some of the water is picked-up by the carrier 178 and then evaporated into the heated incoming air. The outlet conduit 98, being connected to an area of lower pressure within the heating system, enables such moistened heated air within the humidifier 10 to flow through the outlet conduit 98 back to the heated air supply portion of the heating system. Even though not shown, it should be apparent that a second electrical switching means, responsive to sensed relative humidity, may be situated serially with the terminal 304 or 306 of motor 38. In such an arrangement, motor 38 would become de-energized whenever such humidity sensitive switch sensed the attainment of a preselected value of relative humidity, within a particular heated zone, even though the blower assembly may continue to be energized.

Of course, depending upon the material comprising the sleeve-like carrier 178, some flow of incoming heated air might pass through the carrier 178 and enter the interior thereof. Accordingly, the aperture or passageway 196 formed through the end wheel 174 is provided for enabling such moistened air within the interior of the drum assembly 24 to flow axially through aperture 196 and ultimately back to the associated heating system via conduit 98.

In view of the preceding disclosure it should be apparent that the invention provides a humidifier assembly of novel and unique characteristics and features. For example, one of the outstanding features is the employment of separate components such as the end supports 16, 18, the pan 20, the end Wheels 172, 174 and the cage sections 218, 220 and 222 as well as the cover or hood 26. The major benefit derived from the above is the great reduction in costs of shipping and storage of such humidifiers as might occur between the manufacturer and distributor or retailer.

That is, since the drum assembly 24 is comprised of separable components each of them can be laid flat or stacked (as in the case of the cage sections 218, 220 and 222) thereby requiring a minimal packaging space. The remaining components, such as the end supports 16 and 18 as well as the cover 26 can also, because of their separability, be packaged in a manner minimizing space requirements. It is conceivable that where high volume production and shipping were required, the various elements such as the pan 20 and cover 26 would be produced so as to have appropriate tapered surfaces or configurations to permit the nesting of a quantity of the same component within one shipping container.

Another important advantage of the invention, as best shown in FIG. 4, is the provision of a slot-like recess 127 formed internally of the wall 126 of lower pan 20, so as to have an open end directed upwardly thereof. The recess 127 is of a size and configuration as to closely receive therein the lower portion 141 of the extension 140 which carries the water inlet valve assembly. This, of course, permits the easy removal of the water inlet valve assembly and float from the humidifier assembly merely by lifting the support extension 140 and lower portion 141 out of the holding recess 127.

Further, the invention has the advantage of being able to accommodate the construction of humidifiers of increased or decreased capacity at minimal costs. For example, it would be possible to, in practicing the invention, construct two sizes (in terms of water evaporating capacity) of humidifiers by merely having two sizes of water pans, two sizes (in terms of increased length) of water carrier 178 and cage sections 218, 220 and 222, two sizes of shafts 106 and two sizes of hoods or covers 26. All of the other elements would be interchangeable.

Humidifiers constructed in accordance with the teachings of the invention also provide additional operational benefits. For example, whenever the need should arise to clean or replace the water carrier 178 it can be quickly and easily accomplished by unlocking and removing the cover 26 thereby totally exposing the drum assembly 24 which may then be totally lifted out of the assembly without the need of any major disassembly as often required by the prior art.

The same holds true for such instances as when inspection or adjustment of the water inlet mechanism is required. That is, such mechanism is fully exposed merely by the quick and easy removal of the cover 26.

Further, the various structural elements or components comprising the humidifier may be formed of any suitable material; however, it is contemplated that such elements could be easily manufactured from a suitable plastic, and even coated if desired, which would have a low affinity to the corrosive as well as other elements often contained and carried by water.

Although only one preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed and described it should be apparent that other embodiments and modifications of the invention are possible within the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A humidifier assembly, comprising a housing assembly adapted to be secured to a portion of an associated hot air heating system, said housing assembly comprising separate oppositely disposed and spaced end support walls having rear surfaces for attachment to said system water reservoir means situated intermediate said spaced end support walls, said reservoir means being of trough-like configuration including end portions respectively laterally slideably receivable in said spaced end walls for vertical support thereby, water inlet means for directing water from an associated water supply means to said water reservoir means, cover means adapted to operatively engage said end support walls so as to define an interior chamber including therein said water inlet means, a rotatable water carrier assembly situated within said chamber, said water carrier assembly being so positioned as to have a portion thereof contacting the water within said water reservoir means, said water carrier assembly comprising a rotatable shaft carrying a plurality of axially spaced disc-like members for rotation therewith, said rotatable shaft having one end adapted for driving connection to associated motor means, and at least one spacer bar situated within said interior chamber and having opposite ends respectively secured to said spaced end support walls near the forward surface thereof to maintain a preselected distance between said spaced end walls.

2. A humidifier assembly, comprising a housing assembly adapted to be secured to a portion of an associated hot air heating system, said housing assembly comprising oppositely disposed and spaced end support means, water reservoir means situated intermediate said spaced end support means, water inlet means for directing water from an associated water supply means to said water reservoir means, cover means adapted to operatively engage said end support means so as to define an interior chamber including therein said water inlet means, and a rotatable water carrier assembly situated within said chamber, said water carrier assembly being so positioned as to have a portion thereof contacting the water within said water reservoir means, said water carrier assembly comprising a rotatable shaft carrying a plurality of axially spaced disc-like members for rotation therewith, said rotatable shaft having one end adapted for driving connection to associated motor means, said spaced end support means comprising first and second separate end walllike members each adapted for separate attachment to said portion of said associated hot air heating system, said water reservoir means comprising a separate lower pan-like structure detachably carried by said first and second wall-like members, said cover means comprising a separate contoured cover member adapted to engage said first and second wall-like members along the upper and forward edges of said wall-like members as well as the forward end of said pan-like structure, the rearward edges of said wall-like members, the rearward edge of said pan-like structure and the rearward edge of said cover member cooperating to generally define therebetween an inlet for admitting into said interior chamber a flow of heated air from said associated hot air heating system, and said second wall-like member being formed with an aperture therethrough defining an outlet for returning to said associated hot air heating system the hot air supplied to said interior chamber and moistened by said water within said pan-like structure and said rotatable water carrier assembly.

3. A humidifier assembly, comprising a housing assembly adapted to be secured to a portion of an associated hot air heating system, said housing assembly comprising oppositely disposed and spaced end support means, water reservoir means situated intermediate said spaced end support means, water inlet means for directing water from an associated water supply means to said water reservoir means, cover means adapted to operatively engage said end support means so as to define an interior chamber including therein said water inlet means, and a rotatable water carrier assembly situated within said chamber, said water carrier assembly being so positioned as to have a portion thereof contacting the water within said water reservoir means, said water carrier assembly comprising a rotatable shaft carrying a plurality of axially spaced disc-like members for rotation therewith, said rotatable shaft having one end adapted for driving connection to associated motor means, said spaced end support means comprising first and second separate end wall-like members each adapted for separate attachment to said portion of said associated hot air heating system, said water reservoir means comprising a separate lower pan-like structure detachably carried by said first and second wall-like members, said cover means comprising a separate contoured cover member adapted to engage said first and second wall-like members along the upper and forward edges of said wall-like members as well as the forward end of said pan-like structure, said cover member having a generally L-shaped cross-sectional contour and including a rearwardly disposed horizontally extending flange portion adapted to abuttably engage said portion of said associated hot air heating system whenever said cover member is assembled to and in engagement with said first and second wall-like members, the rearward edges of said wall-ilike members, rearward edges of said pan-like structure and the rearward edge of said cover member cooperating to generally define therebetween an inlet for admitting into said interior chamber a flow of heated air from said associated hot air heating system, and said sec ond wall-like member being formed with an aperture therethrough defining an outlet for returning to said asso ciated hot air heating system the hot air supplied to said interior chamber and moistened by said water within said pan-like structure and said rotatable water carrier assembly.

4. A humidifier assembly, comprising a housing assembly adapted to be secured to a portion of an associated hot air heating system, said housing assembly comprising oppositely disposed and spaced end support means, water reservoir means situated intermediate said spaced end support means, water inlet means for directing water from an associated water supply means to said water reservoir means, cover means adapted to operatively engage said end support means so as to define an interior chamber including therein said water inlet means, and a rotatable water carrier assembly situated within said chamber, said water carrier assembly being so positioned as to have a portion thereof contacting the water within said water reservoir means, said water carrier assembly comprising a rotatable shaft carrying a plurality of axially spaced disclike members for rotation therewith, said rotatable shaft having one end adapted for driving connection to associated motor means, said spaced end support means comprising first and second separate end wall-like members each adapted for separate attachment to said portion of said associated hot air heating system, said water reservoir means comprising a separate lower pan-like structure detachably carried by said first and second wall-like members, said cover means comprising a separate contoured cover member adapted to engage said first and second wall-like members along the upper and forward edges of said wall-like members as well as the forward end of said pan-like structure, the rearward edges of said wall-like members, the rearward edge of said pan-like structure and the rearward edge of said cover member cooperating to generally define therebetween an inlet for admitting into said interior chamber a flow of heated air from said associated hot air heating system, said second wall-like member being formed with an aperture therethrough defining an outlet for returning to said associated hot air heating system the hot air supplied to said interior chamber and moistened by said water within said pan-like structure and said rotatable water carrier assembly, said axially spaced disc-like members comprising a first wheel member carried by said shaft for rotation therewith, a second wheel member carried by said shaft for rotation therewith and in spaced relationship to said first wheel member, said water carrier assembly further comprising cage-like means respectively carried at opposite ends thereof by said first and second wheel members, and a generally tubular water lifting means carried generally about said cage-like means for lifting a part of the water from within said water reservoir means and presenting such lifted water to the flow of hot air of said heating system, said cage-like means comprising a plurality of cage section, each of said cage section comprising a plurality of longitudinally extending spaced bars, first and second end connecting members operatively joining the ends of said bars, said first wheel member including a first annular recess formed therein generally concentrically with respect to said first wheel member, said second wheel member including a second annular recess formed therein generally concentrically with respect to said second wheel member, said first recess being adapted to receive therein each of said first end connecting members of said cage sections and said second recess being adapted to receive therein each of said second end connecting members of said cage sections, said cage sections when received by said first and second annular recesses of said first and second wheel members being effective to define a generally open-walled drum-like supporting structure for supporting said tubular water lifting means thereabout, said first and second wheel members and said tubular water lifting means combining to form a second chamber, and said second wheel member being provided with generally axially directed passage means forming an outlet effective for communicating between said second chamber and said interior chamber.

5. A humidifier assembly, comprising a housing assembly adapted to be secured to a portion of an associated hot air heating system, said housing assembly comprising oppositely disposed and spaced end support means, water reservoir means situated intermediate said spaced end support means, water inlet means for directing water from an associated water supply means to said water reservoir means, cover means adapted to operatively engage said end support means so as to define an interior chamber including therein said water inlet means, and a rotatable water carrier assembly situated within said chamber, said water carrier assembly being so positioned as to have a portion thereof contacting the water within said reservoir means, said water carrier assembly comprising a rotatable shaft carrying a plurality of axially spaced disc-like members for rotation therewith, said rotatable shaft having one end adapted for driving con nection to associated motor means, said axially spaced disc-like members comprising a first wheel member carried by said shaft for rotation therewith, a second wheel member carried by said shaft for rotation therewith and in spaced relationship to said ffirst wheel member, said water carrier assembly further comprising cage-like means respectively carried at opposite ends thereof by said first and second wheel members, and generally tubular water lifting means carried generally about said cage-like means for lifting a part of the water from within said water reservoir means and presenting such lifted water to the flow of hot air of said heating system.

6 A humidifier assembly according to claim 5, wherein said cage-like means comprises a plurality of cage sections, each of said cage sections comprising a plurality of longitudinally extending spaced bars, first and second end connecting members operatively joining the ends of said bars, wherein said first wheel member includes a first annular recess formed therein generally concentrically with respect to said first wheel member, wherein said second wheel member includes a second annular recess formed therein generally concentrically with respect to said second wheel member, and wherein said first recess is adapted to receive therein each of said first end connecting members of said cage sections and wherein said second recess is adapted to receive therein each of said second end connecting members of said cage sections, said cage sections when received by said first and second annular recesses of said first and second wheel members being effective to define a generally open-walled drum-like supporting structure for supporting said tubular water lifting means thereabout.

7. A humidifier assembly, comprising a housing assembly adapted to be secured to a portion of an associated hot air heating system, said housing assembly comprising oppositely disposed and spaced end support means, water reservoir means situated intermediate said spaced end support means, water inlet means for directing water from an associated water supply means to said water reservoir means, cover means adapted to operatively engage said end support means so as to define an interior chamber including therein said water inlet means, and a rotatable water carrier assembly situated within said chamber, said water carrier assembly being so positioned as to have a portion thereof contacting the water within said water reservoir means, said water carrier assembly comprising a rotatable shaft carrying a plurality of axially spaced disc-like members for rotation therewith, said rotatable shaft having one end adapted for driving connection to associated motor means said spaced end support means comprising first and second separate end wall-like members each adapted for separate attachment to said portion of said associated hot air heating system, said water reservoir means comprising a separate lower pan-like structure detachably carried by said first and second wall-like members, said pan-like structure including first and second laterally extending flange portions respectively formed at opposite ends of said pan-like structure, and said first and second wall-like members being respectively provided with first and second laterally extending support surfaces being adapted to respectively slideably receive thereon and vertically support said first and second laterally extending flange portions in order to thereby support said pan-like structure generally between said first and second wall-like members.

8. A humidifier assembly, comprising a housing assembly adapted to be secured to a portion of an associated hot air heating system, said housing asembly comprising oppositely disposed and spaced end support means, water reservoir means situated intermediate said spaced end support means, water inlet means for directing water from an associated Water supply means to said water reservoir means, cover means adapted to operatively engage said end support means so as to define an interior chamber including therein said water inlet means, and a rotatable water carrier assembly situated within said chamber, said water carrier assembly being so positioned as to have a portion thereof contacting the water within said Water reservoir means, said water carrier assembly comprising a rotatable shaft carrying a plurality of axially spaced disclike members for rotation therewith, said rotatable shaft having one end adapted for driving connection to associated motor means, said spaced end support means comprising first and second separate end wall-like members each adapted for attachment to said portion of said associated hot air heating system, said water reservoir means comprising a separate lower pan-like structure detachably carried by said first and second wall-like members, said cover means comprising a separate contoured cover member adapted to engage said first and second wall-like members along the upper and forward edges of said walllike members as well as the forward end of said pan-like structure, said cover member having a generally L-shaped cross-sectional contour and including a horizontally extending flange formed at the forward end of said cover member, said pan-like structure including a second horizontally extending flange at the forward end thereof, and first and second fastener means respectively carried by said cover flange and said second flange, said first and second fastener means being effective upon operative engagement with each other to detachably secure the said cover flange to said second flange of said pan-like structure.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,266,481 8/1966 Wentline et al l261l3 3,274,993 9/1966 Martin 26l--92 3,481,588 12/1969 LObb 26l-D.A. 3,491,746 l/197O Swimmer et a1. 1261l3 CHARLES J. MYHRE, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 26192 

